Trimmer device for an electric dry shaver

ABSTRACT

A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver and which trimmer is operable from the drive for the main cutter assembly. A trimmer latch and release mechanism is provided for latching the trimmer in non-operative position which are operable to release the trimmer to operative position as desired.

United States Patent 1 Czerner et al.

[451 Oct. 14,1975

[ TRIMMER DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER [75] Inventors: Peter A. Czemer, Trumbull; John F.

Daniels, Bridgeport; Richard Ihasz, Milford; Edward Szymansky, Fairfield, all of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation,

Bridgeport, Conn.

[22] Filed: June 14, 1974 [2l] Appl. No.: 479,315

3,763,558 lO/l973 Bauerle ..30/34.l

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 827,768 6/1958 United Kingdom 30/34.]

Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerGary L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles R. Miranda [57] ABSTRACT A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver and which trimmer is operable from the drive for the main cutter assembly. A trimmer latch and release mechanism is provided for latching the trimmer in non-operative position which are operable to release the trimmer to operative position as desired.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent bot. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,911,572

Sheet 2 of 3 3,911,572

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,911,572

TRIMMER DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric dry shavers and more particularly to trimmer devices used in association with the main cutter head assembly.

Trimmer devices for electric dry shavers for utiliza tion asauxiliary cutter units in association with the main cutter head assembly are well-known. These trimmer devices are utilized to trim mustaches and sideburns which otherwise are not readily accessible to the main cutter head assembly which is mainly adapted to the shaving of the users facial hair bristles or beard.

These trimmer devices usually comprise a stationary guard having spaced teeth and upon which guard members is mounted a movable cutter having teeth for clipping hair that is fed into the moving path thereof by the teeth of the stationary guard. There are also usually provided means for operating the trimmer device directly from the drive means for the main cutter head assembly. Although some trimmer devices are maintained in a stationary operative position with the drive means it is more desirable that means are provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting the trimmer with the drive means so that the same is not operative when the main cutter head assembly is in use. In some shavers therefore the trimmer device is pivotally mounted on the casing whereby in the non-operative position the trimmer device is adapted to lie flat against the casing surface of the shaver. Latch means have been proposed in the past for maintaining the device in latched non-operative position.

As evidenced by such prior art patents as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,714,710 and 3,763,558 and foreign patents such as Swiss Pat. No. 480,922 and British Pat. No. 827,768 various means have also been proposed in the past for pivotally mounting the trimmers as well as the latching mechanisms therefor. Although these known structures have met with varying success, problems have been presented in providing a simplified latching and mounting mechanism whereby a large operating area is provided for the trimmer. It is also desirable that the means for releasing the trimmer from a non-operative to operative position be spaced from the timmer device so as not to interfere therewith when the trimmer is moved between the latter positions. It is also desirable for ease of operation that means be provided for restoring the trimmer device to inoperative position after use with a minimum amount of effort and inconvenience to the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel trimmer device for an electric dry shaver.

A further object is to provide novel means for latching a trimmer device within a shaver casing and which means includes means spaced from the trimmer for releasing the latter to operative position.

A further object is to provide novel means for mounting the trimmer device for release to an operative position and for restoring the trimmer to inoperative position in a safe and efficient manner.

A still further object is to provide a novel trimmer device and mounting arrangement wherein the parts of the trimmer are fully protected from damage in the inoperative position of the trimmer unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novel trimmer device for an electric dry shaver. In one embodiment the trimmer device includes a stationary guard, a movable cutter, and a protective housing element which extends across one face of the shaver casing. The housing element is adapted for pivotal movement into and out of a cavity provided in the casing and carries means for connecting the movable cutter with the main drive means of the electric shaver in the operative position of the trimmer unit. Latching means are provided for releasing the trimmer from inoperative to operative position and which means are spaced from the operative trimmer mechanism. Further the releasing means is positioned in a manner for operation by the thumb of the user whereby in one continuous motion from the latter position the thumb may also restore the trimmer device into the cavity of the shaver casing when not in use.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partly fragmentary perspective view of an electric dry shaver embodying the present invention and shows the novel trimmer device in inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the upper portion of the electric dry shaver of FIG. I with parts of the shaver broken away to show the cutter head assembly and trimmer device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the latching mechanism for the trimmer device and shows the latter in latched position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the parts of the latching mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the trimmer mechanism in the operative position;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the upper portion of the shaver casing with parts broken away to show portions of the trimmer device; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of the trimmer assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the present invention, an electric dry shaver which incorporates one embodiment thereof is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 (FIG.

l). Electric shaver 10 is of a usual type construction that includes a main casing section 11 and an upper cutter head supporting section 12 wherein is disposed a main cutter head assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 15.

Cutter head assembly 15 is of a known type structure and includes a plurality of individual cutter units 18 mounted on a mounting plate 19 secured in a suitable fashion to wall portion 20 of the cutter head support section 12. Cutter units 18 are of the general type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,430 to L. C. Carissimi dated May 28, 1957 and comprise outer cutters 22 in which are disposed movable inner cutters 23. Inner cutters 23 are urged into cutting cooperation with outer cutters 22 by leaf springs 24 (partially shown in FIG. 2) which engage oscillator arms 26 which extend from a motor (not shown) in main casing 11. Upon operation of the motor inner cutters 23 are reciprocated by oscillator arms 26 to shear facial hairs that enter the path of the inner cutters 23 through slots 27 provided in outer cutters 22 of the cutter head assembly 15.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a trimmer device made according to the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30. Trimmer device 30 (FIG. 1) is disposed beneath the main cutter head assembly within a cavity portion 32 provided in one face of casing l l. Trimmer device includes a main housing element 34 having a bottom which conforms to the outer surface of casing 11 and is comprised of surfaces 35 and 36 respectively.

Trimmer assembly 30 further includes a stationary cutter 38 mounted on a guard 39 and under which stationary cutter 38 is provided movable cutter 40 having teeth portions adapted for shearing engagement with the teeth of the stationary cutter 38. An elongated spacer member 43 is provided between housing 34 and spaces cutter 40 from the inner face of element 34. A drive member 44 is fitted between spacer 43 and movable cutter 40 and is provided with a drive head 45 (FIG. 8) fitted in driving connection with slot 47 of movable cutter 40.

The opposite end of drive member 44 is provided with arms 49 for engagement with a drive extension 50 from one oscillator arm 26 (FIG. 2).

As seen in FIG. 8 (dot-dash lines) aligned openings are provided in the mentioned guard 39, cutters 38, 40 and spacer 43 of the trimmer unit 30. In assembled relationship projections 52-54 formed on housing 34 extends through these openings and which projections are peened over guard member 39 to maintain the trimmer device as an assembled unit.

Trimmer assembly 30 is hinged to casing l l by means of projections 56 formed on the walls of casing 11 (FIG. 7) extending in to hinge holes 57 (FIG. 8) in housing 34. Torsion spring members 60 are located at opposite ends of housing 34 and have their bases coiled about hinge pins 56. One leg 61 of each spring 60 engages wall 20 and a second leg 62 engages a projection 64 on guard 39. In this manner trimmer unit 30 is normally urged outwardly of cavity 32. Means to maintain trimmer 30 in operative position to be described include a detent spring 65 secured'within assembly 30 and having a detenting end portion 66 projecting outwardly thereof for purposes to be hereinafter explained. Detent 65 is secured to one end of guard 39 by portions 67 thereof threaded in slots 71 of guard 39.

As mentioned it is a novel feature of this invention to provide novel means for maintaining trimmer unit 30 in position within cavity 32. To this end as seen in FIGS. 3 & 5 a metallic elongated latch spring member 68 is disposed within casing 11 on the inner wall thereof and is locked thereto by press-fitting one end 69 thereof into a notched portion 70 of casing 11. Spring 68 is urged in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 against a shaft portion 72 of a slidable button member 73 having an operative portion on the outer face of the casing 11. The upper portion of spring member 68 engages a latch hook projection 74 on guard member 39 and maintains the trimmer assembly 30 in a locked non-operative position.

If it is desired to release cutter head trimmer unit 30 to an operative position the user slides the button 73 to the left (FIG. 3) with his thumb thereby releasing spring arm 68 from latch hooks 74. Torsion springs '60 operate to snap trimmer unit 30 into an operative position extending outwardly of cavity 32 with drive member 44 thereof engaging drive projection 50 (FIG. 2) of oscillator arm 26 for operation of cutter 40. In operative position (FIG. 6) detent extension 66 of spring 65 in assembly 30 locks into a cut-out portion 76 in wall 20. When it is desired to return trimmer unit 30 to a non-operative position the user still utilizing his thumb engages and flips the surface 36 of element 34 of assembly 30 and flips the trimmer back into the casing cavity 32 releasing detent 66 from cutout portion 76 and restoring latch spring arm 68 (FIG. 3) into engagement with hook 74. The configuration of element 34 allowing for the cutter unit to lie fully within cavity 32 in a fully protected position.

It will now be apparent from the foregoing description that the novel trimmer unit has many advantages in use, one advantage is that a secure latching mechanism is provided for locking the trimmer device in operative and non-operative position. Means are provided for operating the same which does not interfere with the operation of the trimmer unit.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Variouschanges can be made in the design and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver including a casing having a main cutter head assembly and drive means therefor, said trimmer device comprising,

a. an elongated housing element disposed within a cavity in one face of said casing for housing the trimmer assembly,

b. a guard member secured to said element,

c. an-elongated stationary cutter and a movable cutter mounted thereon carried by and interposed between said guard and housing element to provide said trimmer assembly,

d. hinge means on said housing element and said casing providing for pivotal movement of the trimmer assembly into and out of said cavity to place said cutters in non-operative and operative positions,

. spring means carried by said housing element for normally biasing said element outwardly of said cavity to the operative position,

f.-latch means on said shaver casing for maintaining said element in the non-operative position,

. said latch means include an elongated spring member having two ends, and a latch projection on said guard member, one end of said spring member engaging the latch projection and the opposite end secured to said casing, said spring member being normally biased into engagement with said latch projection, and h. spaced from said trimmer assembly a release means mounted on said casing and in engagement with said spring member between said spring memher ends to release said trimmer assembly to the operative position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said release means include a button member slidably mounted on the outer face of said casing and having a shaft portion extending into said casing, the shaft portion adapted to engage and move said spring member out of latched engagement with said latch projection upon movement of said button.

3. A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver including a casing having a main cutter head assembly and drive means therefor, said trimmer device comprising,

a. an elongated housing element disposed within a cavity in one face of said casing for housing the trimmer assembly,

b. a guard member secured to said element,

c. an elongated stationary cutter and a movable cutter mounted thereon carried by and interposed between said guard and housing element to provide said trimmer assembly, I

d. hinge means on said housing element and said casing providing for pivotal movement of the trimmer assembly into and out of said cavity to place said cutters in non-operative and operative positions,

e. spring means carried by said housing element for normally biasing said element outwardly of said cavity to the operative position, and

f. latch means on said shaver casing for maintaining said element in the non-operative position and having release means spaced from said trimmer assembly to release said assembly to the operative position,

g. detent means carried by the trimmer assembly maintain said assembly in the operative position, and

h. said detent means includes a detent spring secured to said guard member, said detent spring having an end portion adapted to engage a portion of the shaver casing in the operative position of the trimmer assembly.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein trimmer assembly is manually pivotable to the non-operative position about said hinge means to free said detenting end portion from said casing and restore said latch projections into engagement with said spring member. 

1. A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver including a casing having a main cutter head assembly and drive means therefor, said trimmer device comprising, a. an elongated housing element disposed within a cavity in one face of said casing for housing the trimmer assembly, b. a guard member secured to said element, c. an elongated stationary cutter and a movable cutter mounted thereon carried by and interposed between said guard and housing element to provide said trimmer assembly, d. hinge means on said housing element and said casing providing for pivotal movement of the trimmer assembly into and out of said cavity to place said cutters in non-operative and operative positions, e. spring means carried by said housing element for normally biasing said element outwardly of said cavity to the operative position, f. latch means on said shaver casing for maintaining said element in the non-operative position, g. said latch means include an elongated spring member having two ends, and a latch projection on said guard member, one end of said spring member engaging the latch projection and the opposite end secured to said casing, said spring member being normally biased into engagement with said latch projection, and h. spaced from said trimmer assembly a release means mounted on said casing and in engagement with said spring member between said spring member ends to release said trimmer assembly to the operative position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said release means include a button member slidably mounted on the outer face of said casing and having a shaft portion extending into said casing, the shaft portion adapted to engage and move said spring member out of latched engagement with said latch projection upon movement of said button.
 3. A trimmer device for an electric dry shaver including a casing having a main cutter head assembly and drive means therefor, said trimmer device comprising, a. an elongated housing element disposed within a cavity in one face of said casing for housing the trimmer assembly, b. a guard member secured to said element, c. an elongated stationary cutter and a movable cutter mounted thereon carried by and interposed between said guard and housing element to provide said trimmer assembly, d. hinge means on said housing element and said casing providing for pivotal movement of the trimmer assembly into and out of said cavity to place said cutters in non-operative and operative positions, e. spring means carried by said housing element for normally biasing said element outwardly of said cavity to the operative position, and f. latch means on said shaver casing for maintaining said element in the non-operative position and having release means spaced from said trimmer assembly to release said assembly to the operative position, g. detent means carried by the trimmer assembly maintain said assembly in the operative position, and h. said detent means includes a detent spring secured to said guard member, said detent spring having an end portion adapted to engage a portion of the shaver casing in the operative position of the trimmer assembly.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein trimmer assembly is manually pivotable to the non-operative position about said hinge means to free said detenting end portion from said casing and restore said latch projections into engagement with said spring member. 